Friday, July 24, 2015

Poetry Friday: Leisure, by Amy Lowell


I am all about creating enough margin in our lives that we don't go crazy. I must admit, however, that this summer has felt a little crazy by our standards. The busy-ness has all been great stuff.  I don't begrudge any of us any of it but I am trying to make sure we still have time for the "goddess of a bygone age." 

Leisure
Amy Lowell

Leisure, thou goddess of a bygone age,
When hours were long and days sufficed to hold
Wide-eyed delights and pleasures uncontrolled
By shortening moments, when no gaunt presage
Of undone duties, modern heritage,
Haunted our happy minds; must thou withhold
Thy presence from this over-busy world,
And bearing silence with thee disengage
Our twined fortunes? Deeps of unhewn woods
Alone can cherish thee, alone possess
Thy quiet, teeming vigor. This our crime:
Not to have worshipped, marred by alien moods
That sole condition of all loveliness,
The dreaming lapse of slow, unmeasured time.

~~~~~

The round up is at Reflections on the Teche.

~~~~~

"Leisure" is in the public domain. 

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know I don't appreciate enough "the dreaming lapse of slow, unmeasured time." I like your idea of having "margins" around all the activity, Karen. Thanks for sharing this.

Rebecca Gomez said...

I would so enjoy having more days of leisure! Thanks for sharing this lovely poem.

Linda B said...

Hard to believe that even so long ago, Amy Lowell was lamenting about the busyness of life. I am on vacation, and retired now, so thought the summer might be rather slow, but even now it is not. I enjoyed reading this lovely poem, Karen, look forward often to "Wide-eyed delights and pleasures uncontrolled". I left out that final part about shortening.

Tabatha said...

Very nice, Karen. Thank you for bringing us back to "deeps of unhewn woods."

Mary Lee said...

I missed having slow and unmeasured time this summer. More important things called. After a July of work (sorting, pitching, boxing, consigning, and donating), Mom will be in her new room at the assisted living facility starting Monday. Then one more week of the above activities and my brother and I will head to our respective sides of the continent with fingers crossed that Mom adjusts well to the new circumstances of life.

Doraine said...

A beautiful poem. I hope you find a few leisurely moments before jumping into a new school year and all that goes with it.

Margaret Simon said...

Having a cup of coffee reading poetry, my idea of a slow summer afternoon. Busyness can wait a little while longer.

Karen Edmisten said...

Thanks for visiting, everyone. Wishing you all a bit more leisure this summer, too! And Mary Lee, here's hoping your mother settles in well and is happy in her new digs.

Irene Latham said...

This "slow down" message is coming at me loud and clear...thank you!

Karen Edmisten said...

You're most welcome, Irene! :)

Jana Svoboda, LCSW said...

Thanks for th inspiration, perhaps I can sleep now.